How to Remove a Sticky Surface from Rubber

Juan asked: How do I clean degraded and sticky rubber from a Nikon camera cover?

Over time, rubber surfaces start to deteriorate and can become sticky and/or rough. This surface can often be cleaned away or simply scraped off. Follow the guidelines below for easy removal techniques.

Moisten a soft cloth with ammonia or Windex. Rub it over the sticky area to remove some of the damaged surface.

Rubbing alcohol can be used as well, but should be used with caution as it can cause damage to some plastic surfaces.

If the sticky, damaged surface remains, mix some baking soda with water to create a thick paste that is about the consistency of toothpaste. Rub the paste over the surface with a cloth, then rinse clean.

If the stickiness is stubborn, it can be scraped away with a spoon or dull knife.

The Windex worked well for me. But, I put it on fine grade steel wool, which doubled as a spoon, I guess. Of course, that leaves some fine metal flake residue which you can easily wipe off, but I would be *really* careful with something like the camera in the picture. I was doing it on the end covering of a music keyboard. Another possibility would be a scratch pad like what you might use to wash dishes, I suppose, but remember you are going to throw it away afterwards.

WD40 worked wonderfully for me. Just a small spray onto an old kitchen rag and a scrub on the affected surface, and the sticky residue is gone!
Now I’m left with a strong smell of WD40 … which incidentally smells like fly spray. Ugh!

Microsoft Bluetooth mouse side grips became sticky after a couple of years left in a drawer. I was tidying out when I rediscovered it!
Tried the WD40 method, but they remained sticky. Then, used nail varnish remover on old cotton rag – bingo! Completely removed stickiness and polished up to bright shine.

Too much advise. I do not know which to try first. I have 4 Verizon Fios remotes that are sticky and the one that I am using now has an issue with the volume button; it does not work well to lower the volume, but it increases the volume. All I can say, we’ve been had with products that cause us grief.

My problem is different. A full can with oil-based stain popped open in heat in back of my car on a rubber liner. I have wiped up oil with paper towels and washed with diluted Dawn solution and rinsed, but it feels tacky to the touch. Any more ideas?

BA,
Try using a little baking soda mixed with water. Baking soda is a mild abrasive though, so don’t scrub too hard or you could damage the rubber. You can also leave the paste on the rubber until it dries, then brush it off or rinse it off. Letting the paste dry can allow it to absorb the tacky material on the surface.
Source: HowToCleanStuff.net – How to Remove Dirt and Grime from Rubber Watch Straps
Source: HowToCleanStuff.net – How to Clean a Rubber Phone Case

I used Xylene and a dry microfiber cloth on my sticky hand grips on my elliptical. Took 30 seconds and turned out non-sticky, but left it a bit cloudy white. I am ok with that and will try some other ‘rubber renew’ product on it another time to bring back the black look. At least now I can use the machine again. I would use Xylene again if it gets sticky again.

I used fingernail polish remover. It worked the best of anything I’ve tried. It also left the rubber looking like new. Alcohol will work, but it didn’t really leave the surface looking clean and new. This was on a Bose volume control for my computer speakers.